WPTV: Gov. Rick Scott continues to ask feds for help in algae crisis

“I’ve gone to Washington to deal with Congress,” he said. “I’ve asked the president to declare a state of emergency. Unfortunately, he hasn’t. It’s frustrating the federal government isn’t doing its part. We’re doing our part.”

But the governor’s part isn’t working for people dealing with the toxic green algae.

Thick green mats of algae starting forming in Stuart around July 1.

This week, the situation became more critical. Testing proves there are toxins from this algae in the air. And scientists said they do not have enough research to know exactly how those toxins could affect someone’s health.

“What we’ve done is we’ve sent the department of health down to make sure we know as much as we can and put that out as much as we can,” Scott said.

Since Martin County released air quality results, NewsChannel 5 has pressed the state health department for information on what people should know. A representative for the department said, “Martin County has provided the air monitoring data to the Florida Department of Health and requested the agency review. We are conducting that review at this time.”

Instead, Scott repeated his familiar theme before leaving an event in Boca Raton.

“It’s very important we focus on how we can come up with solutions. That’s why we’ve invested almost $700 million since I came into office to deal with moving water south; trying to work with federal government to get them to fund the dike, which they have not funded to maintain and repair the dike.”

The governor has another proposal. He’d like the state to help pay for municipalities to convert from septic systems to sewer to slow down runoff into our waterways.

The governor came to Boca Raton to highlight the growth of the aerospace industry and new jobs in the area.